Yukon

Yukon is an adoptable male Husky looking for a home at Maricopa County Animal Care & Control - West in Phoenix, Arizona. He is fully grown and medium in size. He is currently on the shelter's euthanasia list with only 3 days left, listed due to behavior. Adopting Yukon, or even sharing his story, could save a life before it's too late.

Memo 10/20/2026 10/20/26 17:25 Canine has displayed concerning behaviors in this enviroment, resulting in near bites to staff. Placement with a New Hope Partner is required by close of business 10/25/26 to support behavior evaluation and mitigation strategies. May be at risk for euthanasia 10/26/26 or sooner if warranted. Intake 9/1/2026 How long have you had the animal? 2 HOURS What are the cross streets where you found the animal? 35TH AVE AND BROADWAY RD Is this animal currently showing any signs of illness, taking any medication, or has the animal been diagnosed with a medical or behavioral condition? NO SIGNS OF ILLNESS Is animal spayed/neutered? Has the animal bitten anyone? If yes, please explain? NO Any near bites (contact but did not break skin)? If yes, please explain? YES, BIT AT EMPLOYEE IN LOBBY GRABBED SHOE. NO INJURY CAUSED. Has the animal shown any signs of aggression toward people or animals? NO Has the animal ever seriously injured or caused the death of another animal? NO Was this animal around any children? NO Did the animal interact with other animals? NO Cats? Dogs? Livestock (horses, cows, goats, chickens, etc.)? Other Animals (birds, small mammals, reptiles, etc.)? Resource Guarding: Describe any known guarding of food, toys, people, or space? DID NOT FEED DOG Can the animal walk on a leash? YES, WALKS WELL ON LEASH. PULLS HARD ON LEASH. Does the animal know any commands? NO Where was this animal kept? INSIDE VEHICLE If inside, did you keep the animal in a crate or allowed to roam free? FREE ROAM If outside, what kind of fencing do you have, and did it contain the animal? DID NOT PLACE INTO FENCED YARD Any destruction behavior? If yes, please describe? NO How would you describe the animal’s energy level? HIGH Any escapist behavior? NO Any Door Dashes/Runs away, if so, describe? NO Any Additional details/notes on behavior? STAFF APPROACHED IN LOBBY AND DOG ALLOWED PETTING AND HANDLING, RESPONDING BY LICKING STAFF'S HAND, STAFF AND SOURCE THEN MOVED CLOSER TO THE WATER STATION AND STAFF MOVED THE TRASH CAN, WHEN THIS LOUD NOISE OCCURED THE DOG GRABBED STAFF'S FOOT WITH HIS MOUTH AND THEN THE SHOE LACES - MOUTHY PLAY AND BEHAVIOR OBSERVED Evaluation Comments (Observations from our staff and volunteers) 10/18/2026 Dog was closed to back half of kennel during AM cleaning. Presented leash, leashed without issues. Walked with a moderate pull on leash to main PY. Explored with a relaxed body. Would approach handler, jumping up in a playful manner, able to direct down without issues. Would \"SIT\" for treats & take treats gently. Leans in while being pet throughout body. Dog would jump up onto bench & wedge body behind handler, handler would stand up & dog would continue to walk on bench then jump down & chase toys being tossed. Handler sat back down on a chair, dog would jump up placing front paws across handlers lap, handler would pet dog, dog would start to nibble on handlers long sleeves, handler would say \"no\" firmly then stand up, dog would return to running around PY. Handler called dog over & picked up leash, dog would start to bite @ leash, quickly settling. As handler was adjusting leash stopper, dog would turn head making contact with mouth to handlers hand while keeping mouth opened then quickly turning head again to look up towards handler. Able to continue to walk dog to PY gate & back to kennel without issues. Entered into kennel, tossed treats inside kennel & removed leash by hand without issues while dog would be eating treats. 10/17/2026 Soft wiggly; tail wagging; easy leash; exited; moderate pull. In yard, soft; tail wagging; bouncy; jumped near handler; did not make physical contact; interested in toy bin; jumped on bench; jumped down; ran around; tossed toy; dog picked up; played independently with toy; tossing up in air; approached handler; started jumping up on handler; grabbed at handler's long sleeve; jumped up again being able to grab at handler's arm (placed full mouth around arm handler was wearing long sleeve); picked leash; able to straight arm away; dog settled; dropped leash; dog continued to explore; bouncy; soft; tail wagging; approached handler; leaned in for petting; started jumping up towards handler again; mouthy; easily able to redirect away with treats; demonstrated sit; settled; followed handler around for treats; picked leash up; mouthy; settled when offered treat; walked back to kennel with light to moderate pull; easy leash removal. 10/11/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Strong Pull on Leash, High Energy, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, bounced around yard, jumped up in air near handler but not on. settled after a few minutes. went potty, leaned into handler for pets, nudged when I did consent test for more. hopped up on bench to be able to watch over barrier. barked at passing people but approached to investigate. 10/3/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Easy to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, High Energy, Ignored dogs when walking past kennels, Sit, VERY FRIENDLY WITH EVERYONE HE MEETS, HIGH ENERGY, IN YARD HE RUNS ALL OVER AND THEN OVER TO ME/PAST, VERY ENGAGING, JUMPS A LOT BUT NOT ON ME, JUST NEAR TO ENGAGE IN PLAY, CLIMBS ON BENCH NEAR ME, VERY AFFECTIONATE AND FRIENDLY. ALLOWS BRUSHING, RUNS TO FENCE FOR PETS FROM ANY 9/25/2026 Solicited attentions, Playful, Easy to pull from kennel, Moderate to return to kennel, Takes treats nicely, Somewhat Pulls on Leash, Sit, sniffs at kennels with rear hackled raised but no other reaction, explores in yard and is very interactive, will run to me play bowing and jumping up but is not rough, affectionate, leans in for petting and then becomes playful. tries to push out on return. fun and playful. 9/19/2026 , I went on an East meets West walk today! 9/16/2026 Dog did not eat howling,soliticits attention. Day 2 adding in wet food 1-2 tblspn to entyce. Dog ate with 2 TBS of wet food added 9/15/2026 Dog did not eat day 1. 9/15/2026 Timid, tail wagging, backing up in kennel when door opened, slowly coaxed forward, slow leash placement, allowed all petting, allowed all handling and vaccine booster with muzzle wrap restraint, slow leash removal. 9/10/2026 Dog did not eat at back side of kennel. 9/9/2026 Closed outside for AM cleaning. Dog was lying at kennel door, calm, neutral, took treats gently from hand. Handler presented leash, dog sniffed and licked hand, gave low tail wags, easy to leash and walk to yard, became tense when walking past kenneled dogs, froze and stared, could feel dog growling through leash, easy to redirect and continue walking. Affiliative with handler, approached with soft body and wagging tail, leaned into handler and allowed petting all over, sat for treats, took gently. When handler stood dog play bowed and began bounding around yard, remained soft with wagging tail, allowed handler to approach and pet. Followed handler into catch pen, able to pick up leash and walk back with no issues, hesitant to enter kennel, handler stepped in, dog followed, tried exiting kennel while removing leash by hand but wasn't forceful. Remained at kennel door and took more treats. *Adding Older Children 12+ due to intake. Potential adopters should be counseled on slow introductions and proper decompression time to allow dog to adjust to new home. 9/7/2026 Did not eat, day 4 had WF mixed in kibble refused tossed treats. 9/5/2026 Did not eat Day 2 Add Wf topper, standing outside would not come inside refused tossed treats 9/4/2026 Dog did not eat day 1 9/3/2026 Would not shift inside for AM cleaning. Tried verbally coaxing and tossing treats; not interested; stoic; met dog on outer portion; remained stoic; allowed handler to place leash over head; exited; walked well; would not enter kennel; handler stepped in; dog followed; pushed out; tried again; handler used firm leash pressure to keep dog in kennel; removed leash with clip leash. 9/1/2026 Soft, easy leashing, backing up, tensing body, and watching handler with hard stare when attempting to microchip scan, squeeze gate used for handling and vaccines, walked to kennel, moderate pull, clip lead used to remove leash. (Made orange due to near bite to staff member in lobby) Name: Yukon Animal ID: A5170950 Breed: BLACK/WHITE ALASKAN HUSKY Sex: Neutered Age: 4Y 1M Weight: 49.0 lbs Kennel: West Kennel, Wing B - 036 Intake Date: 9/1/2026 Deadline Date: 10/25/2026